Spartans midfielder Matty Wade becomes the latest former Blyth Spartans Juniors player to feature in the squad for the first round of the FA Cup this weekend.
“I loved playing for the junior sides and it’s brilliant to have been able to go all the way to the senior side,” said Wade. “The Juniors set-up is great. I had a superb time playing with my mates every Sunday and just enjoying playing football. When you win you enjoy it anyway, but with your mates it’s extra special!
“ I’m really proud to have made the transition through the ranks and now could be playing in the first round of the FA Cup in my home town in front of the tv cameras.”
Good friend of Matty, Dan Burn, played for Blyth Spartans Juniors too and is now a professional with Fulham.
“There is definitely a route from the Juniors to the pro game,” said Wade. “It’s a good standard and the coaching is top notch. My advice to current Juniors’ players is to stick in, enjoy your football, and if you can – win. That always helps! “
Wade went on praise the coaches who helped him progress in his football career.
He said: “Peter Todd was great both on and off the pitch. It was just fantastic to have him around. He taught me a lot about football, coaching me in every age group and has been instrumental in where I am today.”
Wade is keen to see further links between the Juniors and the senior side.
“Integration is important,” he suggested. “I went to watch the seniors as a kid and I would like to think the Juniors now will do the same. It shows what you can achieve. Personally I’d love to coach them and see them improve. Maybe they’d like to have a senior player helping them and inspiring them.”
Former Juniors’ Secretary Ozzie Lawrence is delighted with Matty’s progress.
“Matty always wanted to play the game properly and pass the ball, “he said. “It’s the ideal scenario where a youngster progresses through the teams. It will happen more often with any luck. Matty is a home grown lad so for him to feature in the FA Cup at this stage is fantastic for the club and the town.”
Russell Parker is the present Chairman of Blyth Spartans Juniors. He said: “Not every young person can play at the very top level as Dan Burn has done but we aim to help produce quality, rounded young players who try to achieve the best they can. Matty is a great example of this, playing at a very high level of the non league game.
“The coaches we have are consistently improving and developing as coaches and passing their qualities on to the players. Blyth Spartans Juniors are striving to become fully established with more teams and more players who follow in Matty’s footsteps.”